Berlin State Opera Rehearsal Centre

Berlin, Germany

Key Facts

This was the largest renovation project in the 250 year history of the Berlin State Opera House

Our team used Revit software throughout to develop elegant yet cost-effective engineering solutions

We delivered three state of the art rehearsal rooms and two spacious halls dedicated to the development of technical processes

Flexible spaces in which creativity can flourish

The magnificent 250 year-old Berlin State Opera House has had an eventful history. Destruction caused during the Wars, and subsequent insensitive reconstruction work, led to a disjointed complex in need of significant renovation.

BuroHappold Engineering was commissioned to work across several aspects of this extensive project, including undertaking the structural design for a new rehearsal centre.

CHALLENGE

One of the main goals for this rehearsal centre was to guarantee the its acoustic performance. In addition, our client specified that the orchestra, ballet and choir needed to have separate rehearsal rooms, each of which had to adhere to a two-tier layout and be fully adaptable to suit a variety of purposes.

The magnificent 250 year-old Berlin State Opera House has had an eventful history. Image: Alexander Schippel

SOLUTION

Our engineers worked closely with the architect, questioning concepts so that we could develop designs that responded to these highly specific challenges and requirements. Throughout our work, we used Revit software to assess and improve our designs in a virtual 3D environment. This helped us to ensure our solutions worked in parallel with the rehearsal spaces themselves and produced optimum sound quality.

At the heart of the building are two spacious halls where the technical processes behind each production can be practised. Adjacent to these are the rehearsal stages and production workshops, all of which are stacked side by side and on top of each other to optimise workflow and communication between departments. To secure the best possible acoustic performance from each space, we installed dampers to minimise dynamic impact, and room-in-room solutions to prevent overspill of sound into adjoining areas.

This was the largest renovation project in the 250 year history of the Berlin State Opera House. Image: Christian von Steffelin

VALUE

Our interdisciplinary team worked collaboratively with the architect to deliver a cost effective, spatially efficient rehearsal centre that provides musicians, artists and staff with a flexible and inspiring place to work. When it reopens in October 2017, the Berlin State Opera House will once again rank among the world’s leading performance venues.

Services and approach

When we integrate our specialist teams around an approach, the benefits to the client multiply

Sign up to our newsletter

Get updates from BuroHappold on the things you care about direct to your inbox, simply enter your email below to get started...

About us

BuroHappold Engineering is an international, integrated engineering consultancy operating in 21 locations worldwide, with 60 partners and over 1700 employees including some of the world’s leading consulting engineers. For over 40 years we’ve been building our reputation for delivering creative, value led building and city solutions for an ever changing world.

Please tell us a little about yourself to download your free copy

Our policies and terms outline the information we collect about you, and how we process your personal information, please read them to be fully informed. We also use cookies on our website to provide you with a better experience. By continuing to use this site, without changing your settings, you agree to our use of cookies in accordance with our cookie policy.